Abstract: The cabin conditioning system can include a cabin air loop, a refrigerant loop, and a set of thermal rejection components. The system can optionally include a phase-change fluid loop. However, the cabin conditioning system can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The cabin conditioning system functions to condition a cabin interior (and/or an air volume therein) of a vehicle, such as an atmospheric and/or space-flight capsule. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to reject heat from the vehicle interior and/or vehicle power systems (e.g., avionics components thereof). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to maintain the humidity of air within the cabin interior. However, the cabin conditioning system can include any other suitable components.

Abstract: The cabin conditioning system can include a cabin air loop, a refrigerant loop, and a set of thermal rejection components. The system can optionally include a phase-change fluid loop. However, the cabin conditioning system can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The cabin conditioning system functions to condition a cabin interior (and/or an air volume therein) of a vehicle, such as an atmospheric and/or space-flight capsule. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to reject heat from the vehicle interior and/or vehicle power systems (e.g., avionics components thereof). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to maintain the humidity of air within the cabin interior. However, the cabin conditioning system can include any other suitable components.

Abstract: The cabin conditioning system can include a cabin air loop, a refrigerant loop, and a set of thermal rejection components. The system can optionally include a phase-change fluid loop. However, the cabin conditioning system can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The cabin conditioning system functions to condition a cabin interior (and/or an air volume therein) of a vehicle, such as an atmospheric and/or space-flight capsule. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to reject heat from the vehicle interior and/or vehicle power systems (e.g., avionics components thereof). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to maintain the humidity of air within the cabin interior. However, the cabin conditioning system can include any other suitable components.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) is attached in tandem with one or more air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB may provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as more efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, made possible with the LTA system are also described.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: Features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) is attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB) having a continuous skin and multiple SPB compartments. The ZPB provides lift for the system while the multi-compartment SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. Various performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Navigation and control techniques, such as high altitude station-keeping approaches, are made possible with the LTA system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: Described herein are features for high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) balloon antenna systems and associated methods. One or more long wire communications antennas may be built into the balloon skin. The antenna may extend under, in, on or otherwise along one of the seams formed by connected edges of gores that define the balloon volume. The antenna may include an elongated electrical conductor with a length based on a desired communication frequency. The antenna may be secured with load tape along the seam. The antenna may be included in an LTA balloon system that includes multiple balloons connected in tandem, such as a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) and one or more variable air ballast super-pressure balloons (SPB).

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) is attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as more efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, made possible with the LTA system are also described.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: A high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system can include a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A solar array coupled with an elongated ladder assembly can be coupled to a payload support for a payload carried by the LTA system. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, are made possible with the LTA system.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.